Trials And Temptations

SCRIPTURE

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12, NLT

QUOTE

‘We do not enjoy being put to the test by trials or temptation but both are great instructors.”

~Ya’akov

The Greek word peirasmos can refer to both a trial or temptation. The NASB reads, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial,” whereas the AV reads “Blessed is the man that endures temptation.” Who is right and who is wrong? Both are right but we must understand that God may test us but He will not tempt us to sin. God puts us to the test to make us better: Satan tempts us to make us worse. Believers do not live a sheltered life: we must be ready to face both trials and temptations.

God created us with desires for certain things like food, water, clothing [shelter] and sex. If we never felt hunger, we would starve. If we never felt thirst, we would dehydrate. If we never felt cold, we would freeze in winter. If we never felt the urge to have sex, the human race would cease to exist. Our desires are normal not sinful: they become sinful when we allow them to control us. EXAMPLE: We are to “eat to live,” not “live to eat.” If we eat every time we feel like eating, we will most like become over weight which is not healthy. Sex is like fire or steam: it is good as long as it is controlled but if it gets out of control it becomes highly destructive. By control I mean in the context of marriage, commitment and love.

Eve’s desire was for food, pleasure {delight} and knowledge…When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. God knew things that Eve did not know and it was driving her crazy. Have you ever attempted to keep a secret from your wife?

There is nothing inherently sinful about food, pleasure or knowledge but Eve was not willing to wait on God’s timing. What she wanted was good but she went about getting it the wrong way. We always get in trouble when we try to fulfill our desires a part from Christ. We can never satisfy our desires by partaking of things that God has forbidden.

Warren Wiersbe says there are four stages to sin: Desire, Deception, Disobedience and Death. Sometimes it takes years and years for sin to mature but when it does, it brings forth death. I imagine this truth became crystal clear when Adam and Eve stood by the grave of Abel.

TODAY WE PRAY FOR MINISTERS AND MISSIONARIES

• SENIOR DAY this Sunday in the a.m. service: Seniors, it will be costly for you to miss. Make every effort to be present.
• BACCALAUREATE Sunday Night at 6:00. We have a great line up and we are doing something we have never done before: imagine that!
• WEE CARE Graduation Sunday evening at 2:00.
• I did not go yesterday but June and I saw Don Sunday and he was doing good.
• We will have a Deacon’s meeting this week at 8:15.
• May 29 Senior Adult Cook Out.
• June 6…Rally for Biblical Marriage in Montgomery. I think the time is 3:00 PM
• June 14…Vote on Minister of Music [AM in the foyer, secret ballot]

VBX June 8-12

Crisis

SCRIPTURE

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

~James 1:2, NLT

QUOTE

We learn more from life’s trials than we do life’s triumphs.

~Chip Ingram

The Chinese word for “crisis” (simplified Chinese: 危机; traditional Chinese: 危機; pinyin: wēijī) is frequently invoked in Western motivational speaking because the word is composed of two Chinese characters that can represent “danger” and “opportunity“. Some linguist accuse motivational speakers of taking liberties with the word.

One such case was in a speech by President John F. Kennedy, in Indianapolis on April 12, 1959. In his speech, Kennedy said that, “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity.”

The word “crisis” (wēijī) consists of two syllables that are written with two separate characters, wēi and jī. . . . While it is true that wēijī does indeed mean “crisis” and that the wēi does convey the notion of “danger,” the jī syllable of wēijī does not literally mean opportunity but it can be translated “Critical or defining moment” which is most always an opportunity.

This same concept is what James has in mind, we should consider trouble [various trials] as opportunities for ministry, spiritual advancement and joy. How did Job respond when the bottom fell out of his world? He did respond nobly with sincere worship but you would not consider his first response one of ecstatic joy. Generally, when trouble comes our way, our first response is and intense struggle with our faith that may lend itself to doubt, discouragement and despair. With time we begin to see God at work in our crisis and we begin learning things that we could never understand a part from the crisis. The joy of the crisis is like the sonic boom that follows a super sonic jet. You see the plane long before you hear the sound. Our first response to crisis will most likely be fear but the joy is coming. In Psalm 30:5 David stated the principle like this: Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

I hate to agree with a democrat but I’m going to concur with Kennedy, a crisis is a critical point that presents both danger and opportunity. Remember the old adage, “Don’t waste your sorrows.”

• It is good to be back on line after being down for two weeks. I am no where near 100% but I am better PTL.  I hope this is not a premature celebration but Lord willing I will be blogging daily again: at least that is my prayer. I was able to attend the second service yesterday and see all the babies and children in their Easter outfits. I enjoyed the Praise and worship: The Band, David, the Choir and the Praise and Motion Team were fantastic. I thought Joe David had a great message and I enjoyed the entire service and that includes the offerings.
• At this time we do not know what the treatment will be for the back and sciatic nerve. They may do an MRI next week. I stay on the steroids this week. Barring a miraculous turn around, I doubt that I can be back in the pulpit for a couple of more weeks. We will play it by ear.

But Even If He Doesn’t

SCRIPTURE

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

~Daniel 3:16-18

QUOTE

Christ wants you to trust and love Him for who He is; not for what He can do for you.

~Bill Smith

We love and admire the faith of the Hebrew boys–With their life on the line, they did not waver or doubt but were firm in their faith. Several encouraging things are found in their reply to the pagan despot Nebuchadnezzar:

1. When God does not come through for us: when He does not answer our prayer or intervene in our behalf the way we think He should, it is not because He is unable. The Hebrews Boys had it right, “Our God is able.” He who spoke the universe into existence is always able.
2. As followers of Christ we are in a win/win: to live is Christ but to die is gain: note what they said, “He will deliver us from you.” You can kill us but you can’t control us. You can kill the body but you can’t touch the soul. One way or the other, we will be delivered: either miraculously here or gloriously in heaven.
3. God works for our ultimate good and His personal glory and there is no conflict. God is able to do good for us and get glory for Himself. He is able to make all things work together for good and thus He deserves all the glory.
4. God’s presence is manifest when we are in the flames. Nebuchadnezzar said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god.” [Daniel 3:25, NRSV}
5. God’s sense doesn’t make sense to us because we don’t have enough sense for God’s sense to make sense.

• Today we pray for our TEACHERS: Carolyn Matthews, Penny Roy, Janet Fields, Katie Sparkman, Amanda Willingham, Sandy Schofield, Robin Steenson,  Rebecca Hopper, Lori Bailey, Amy Holt, Stephanie Moore, Haley Clark, Charity Clark, Wendy Hembree, Holly Little, Steve Hardy, Brian Ellis, J.J. Hill, and Brent Vest. [If we left someone out, don’t fuss, email us, we want them all on the list]
• NEWS FLASH from L.A.–This morning, the Muslim Brotherhood warned the United States that if the United States continued meddling in Syria, Egypt, Libya, and… other potential hot spots in the Middle East, they intend to cut off America’s supply of 7-11 and Motel 6 managers.   If this action does not yield sufficient results, cab drivers will be next, followed by Dell, AT&T, and AOL customer service reps. Finally, if all else fails, they have threatened to not send us any more presidents.

 

Abba Father, our sins are so many we blush with shame, they are stacked higher than our heads. We have taken Your name out of our text books, our courtrooms, the public square and now we are working on Christmas that has no meaning a part from Your Son. After failing to acknowledge You as Creator, Sustainer and Savior we have the audacity to use Your name in vain and to blame You when evil things happened. We have more God deniers and Christ haters than we do intercessors and yet we wonder why things are in such a mess. Our president puts his stamp of approval on the gay marriage but refused to acknowledge the right to life to the most innocent members of our society. We do not deserve mercy but that is exactly what we need. Father, in the name of Jesus would you commission Your most Holy Spirit to sweep though our nation like a fire and consume our vanity and loathsome pride. We beg You for REVIVAL. The only hope for America is Jesus.

 

 

 

Thank You Lord, I Love You.

If you agree, send it on—if not, just delete.

Only you & the Lord will know.

“Life without God is like an un-sharpened pencil – it has no point “

Count It All Joy

SCRIPTURE:  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. {James 1:2, NKJV}

QUOTE: Greater joy is always preceded by greater suffering. ~Augustine

COMMENTARY: Most of us have difficulty with James 1:2, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” First of all, “fall into” means to be submerged in, like falling into a river. The Greek word for various comes from textile industry and it is in reference to dyes “various colors”. Trials come in various colors, shapes, forms and sizes. Winning the lottery can even be a trial. You have never thought of inheriting a huge sum of cash as a trial have you? Trust me, it would constitute a great trial. Are you submerged in difficult circumstances? Do you see the joy that God associates with those difficult circumstances? When was the last time someone came to you and said, “Man, give me your trials. I want the joy that comes with them.” Trials are not something we want. We don’t look for them, we don’t pray for them: as a matter of fact, we do all we can to avoid them and yet scripture teaches that there is joy in suffering.

The key is in verse 3, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Trails can be a blessing if you KNOW:

1. Jesus loves you. Your spiritual barometer is not your circumstances but the cross. Jesus loves you and that is a fact, not a feeling. You need to know this if you are to rejoice during the difficult times.
2. You need to know that God is testing you. You difficult circumstances are temporary. They have come to teach not to torture. The test is for the benefit of the student, not the teacher.
3. You need to know that no matter how difficult the trials are, they will eventually work for your good…trials are productive…And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28, NKJV]

EXTRA

• Great crowd for supper last night–we almost ran out of food which is a good thing. I know it is hard to believe but we have only 5 Wed. nite suppers left before summer break. We have to do one more hamburger night and two of them will be Chick-fil-A. Last supper in May 15.

• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is June 3-7 with our WORSHIP RALLY PREVIEW on May 22. Those who attend the rally get a free T-Shirt. Remember we have VBX for 5-7th grades.

• Rain and cooler weather coming …Day time highs are not bad [64* on Saturday] but three cool nights, 37 on Friday, 38 on Saturday, and 45 on Sunday night. I have an entire row of tomatoes and they will have to be covered. I have three rows of corn up but they should survive.

• Jerry Segars has a green house on 36 right behind Mandy and Jason’s. He is there during the day. He has beautiful plants. Jerry has a green thumb.

• George Beverly Shea and Pat Sumerall were promoted day before  yesterday…June and I heard George Shea in person at Toronto some years ago…I am guessing 1998. I heard Pat Summerall two years ago at the GRIDIRON CONFERENCE.

George Shea…Promoted at 104

Pat Summerall…promoted at 82